As the onslaught of TB deaths is rampant across the state, the TB nutrition scheme started by the central seems to be promising. As well all know, TB patients require a health immune system to function. Now with the help of this initiative, tuberculosis patients haves a better chance of defeating the disease and recovering from it

This health scheme was started by the central government on April 01, 2018. It has just been five months since this initiative was started.

From April to September, so far, the TB nutrition scheme has helped around 8,7834 patients.

The central government had allocated 600 crore rupees for this health scheme.

This scheme has helped benefit around 54,000 patients in Maharashtra.

Through this scheme, each patient receives 500 rupees in their bank accounts.

This helps them access better nutrition and in turn build up better immunity against this dreadful respiratory disease.

Maharashtra accounts for 61 per cent of poor TB patients. TB is a life-threating disease if it is not detected and diagnosed on time. That is why this scheme is important as it can help turn the tide against the rapid growth of tuberculosis in Maharashtra.

While speaking to My Medical Mantra, State TB Control Nodal Officer, said, Dr Padmaja Jogewar, said, “Tuberculosis cases are on the rise in Maharashtra. Especially, Multi-Drug resistant (MDR) TB cases, to fight against TB the patients need to have a strong immune system. This scheme helps poor patients to have better access to nutrition. It helps them with their dietary needs on a monthly basis.”

She added, “Around 8,7834 patients have been detected with TB, but there are more patients than this, there are still many undetected TB cases in the state. In order to address this the Maharashtra government had started the active case finding campaign.”

As a part of this month long campaign, ASHA workers across the state went on a door to door campaign, where they would search for undetected TB cases. If a person showed symptoms of TB, he/she would be immediately referred to the nearest primary healthcare centre (PHC). And medicines were started on the spot, after diagnosis done by the doctor. The medications provided at these centres are free of cost.

TB is the leading infectious killer in India. There were an estimated 28 lakh new cases of TB in 2016, with over 4 lakh people succumbing to the disease, including those with TB and HIV. In March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a campaign to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) from India by 2025, five years ahead of a globally-set deadline.